The Saskatchewan Anglican, February 2021

Page 1

Saskatchewan

anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • February 2021

Zooming to worship When meeting in person was not an option, many parishes adopted Zoom technology for worship, committee meetings, Bible study, fellowship and more. Cynthia French, a nine-year-old member of Immanuel Parish in Regina, sketched this during one of the many Advent events the parish presented online. Photo courtesy Laura French

Lawrence Adams retires as diocesan property manager By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — “It all started with Duncan Wallace,” says Lawrence Adams of his more than 25 years as property manager for the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. When Adams was serving on the vestry of St. Paul’s Cathedral, then-Dean Duncan Wallace asked him, “What do you know about columbariums?” When Adams replied, “Nothing,” Wallace described his idea to create a small columbarium in the space being used as a choir room in the basement of the cathedral. While showing Adams the choir room, they also saw the undercroft of the cathedral, and when Adams saw the beautiful stonework

Lawrence Adams of the foundations, he persuaded Wallace to think bigger. Adams became the volunteer project manager for the columbarium, which Dean Wallace dedicated in February 1993. While still involved in the columbarium project, Bishop Eric Bays asked Adams if he would like to be property manager for the diocese. For a few years he

filled both roles. The diocesan property manager is responsible for all diocesan properties, including sale of unneeded buildings and land, and of maintenance when buildings are deconsecrated. “I’ve only been to one service of deconsecration,” says Adams. “It was so sad, and I didn’t even have a connection to the building.” “I have had the honour of serving four bishops over the years,” recounts Adams. “I am very thankful for the support I received over the years and the people I met throughout the Diocese.” He says the No. 1 highlight of his work was the people with whom he worked. He mentioned the columbarium board of directors; Jim Melville

and Peter Whitmore, who was also Chancellor for the diocese; Doug Osborne and Diane Foley when they were the diocesan finance officers; all four bishops, especially Bishop Rob Hardwick for his patience; and diocesan staff, including executive officer Shelley Baron. Adams also mentioned many of the people he met when they bought former diocesan buildings. He did not use relator services. He made a tradition of returning one year after the sale was complete, with a bottle of champagne to celebrate with the buyers, and still keeps in touch with some of them. “Rectories were easy to sell — they’re just houses, but church buildings are more challenging,” Adams

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explained. He says many former church buildings have been put to very creative uses, and lists dance studio, day care, tea and coffee shops, condos, exercise class rooms, and a herbalist’s shop as examples. The success and popularity of the columbarium at St. Paul’s is another highlight. He remembers it was a lot more work than first expected — as many construction projects are — but is proud of the beautiful stonework, cabinetry and stained glass that have created a restful and holy space in what was previously an unfinished cellar. Adams is very glad that the former Camp Knowles property was sold before Continued on page 5


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